Tirumala laddu

Laddu or Ladoo, has been offered as the prashadam to lord Sri Venkateshwara. Anyone who has visited the temple doesn’t depart the holy premises without packing these sanctimonious laddus. It is believed that having the divine laddus has an equaling grace to visiting the.

Laddu or Ladoo, has been offered as the prashadam to lord Sri Venkateshwara. Anyone who has visited the temple doesn’t depart the holy premises without packing these sanctimonious laddus. It is believed that having the divine laddus has an equaling grace to visiting the holy shrine.

The story of laddus takes us back about 3 centuries ago, when a great philanthropist, Sri Kalyanam Iyengar made the first ever laddu on the eve of Kalyana Mahotsava of the deity. These then became an integral part of the Hindu marriage ceremonies. Ever since then Sri Kalyana Iyenger’s family has taken over the proceedings of laddu making in the temple compound. The sacred delicacy was prepared within the compounds of the temple in a special kitchen called ’Potu’. However, Tirumala Tiruoati Devastanams trust put an end to this Misari system.

Since 1940’s laddus have been offered as prashadam to the devotees. Although the size of the laddu has continuously been changing rather only decreasing, the taste remains the same. The Tirumala laddu, also identified as Sri Vari Laddu, is a rarity in itself for its taste and quality has been an anonymous recipe guarded within the Seven Hills. It is believed to be prepared of the Besan, sugar, purest of the ghee, cardamom (elaichi), cashew nuts and raisins(dry grapes).Though the ingredients are so evident, it is still puzzling that why it cannot be prepared by others. May be the laddus are destined only to the lands of Tirumala. Even the slightest whiff of these sweet fineness could make you want to have it any time of the day and people who have been in and around the ‘potu’ would swear to this.

Out of all other prashadams prepared in the lord’s servings to say Vadai, Payasam, sweet(chakkira) pongal, pulihora (typical spices based rice serving) et all, Laddus commands a higher order of respect and love.

So next time someone in your vicinity makes it for Tirumala don’t be shy to ask them for a piece of this divinity.

Few quickers about Sri Vari Laddus

– A count of two free laddus are distributed to every devotee.

– It’s the only patented laddu in the world

– A small Laddu weighs about 174 grams while a larger one is around 700 grams.

– An average of One lakh and fifty thousand laddus are prepared each day.

– The biggest Laddu offered till date is of 32 kilograms.

– The Srivari Laddu is the mainstay among the likes of Naivedhyam offered.